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The vineyards and bushland that surround the d’Arenberg winery are home to the unique native Australian bird, the Kookaburra, famous for its distinctive laughing call. Much to the amusement of the family, Chester Osborn’s daughters, Alicia and Ruby, named their two wild pet Kookaburras the “Laughing Magpies”. Very dark rich looking appearance with a black-crimson hue suggesting a complex youthful dry red. The aroma is intense and still quite undeveloped with a floral mix of peach stone, jasmine and cranberry juice overriding dark maraschino cherries, star anise, and spiced fruit cake. If you give the wine a vigorous decanting you’ll see amongst the floral & vegetative earthy notes a dominance of white pepper & plum notes mixed with root vegetables such as parsnips and beetroot, along with hints of roasted black tea, black olives and edges of fragrant garden herbs. The palate is full flavoured with ripe juicy soft mouth-filling flavours suggesting beetroot juice, blueberries blackcurrants and red cherries with herbaceous edges that keep the palate in check. Overall a slightly lighter wine than previous years but the oak is showing a greater impact due to its youth, with lovely cedary notes which compliments the abundant tea like tannins and edgy mineral acidity that gives the wine excellent definition. The concentration of this wine suggests it will greatly benefit further bottle aging for the medium term and in 10 years or so, depending on storage, it should be at its drinking best.

d’Arenberg has developed an enviable reputation with their range of idiosyncratic wines. From the Stump Jumps through to the highly regarded Icons, these wines offer value, individuality and a true taste of McLaren Vale. The Icons The Ironstone Pressings, The Coppermine Road, The Dead Arm Shiraz The Icons are the most powerful and concentrated of d’Arenberg’s wines. Compris... Read more

d’Arenberg has developed an enviable reputation with their range of idiosyncratic wines. From the Stump Jumps through to the highly regarded Icons, these wines offer value, individuality and a true taste of McLaren Vale. The Icons The Ironstone Pressings, The Coppermine Road, The Dead Arm Shiraz The Icons are the most powerful and concentrated of d’Arenberg’s wines. Comprising of the Dead Arm, the Coppermine Road and the Ironstone Pressings, this range represents the pinnacle of d’Arenberg’s efforts. Century old, low-yielding vines produce intensely flavored fruit which is traditionally vinified and undergoes rigorous barrel-selection prior to classification. Chester's Champions The Lucky Lizard, The Twentyeight Road, The Last Ditch, The Money Spider, The Feral Fox, The Sticks & Stones, The Derelict Vineyard, The Cadenzia, The Galvo Garage, The Laughing Magpie Since the early 1900’s, d’Arenberg has pioneered innovative wine styles and varietal plantings. Chester’s Champions represent d’Arenberg’s most exciting new ventures, offering an eclectic alternative to the known and loved bastions of the portfolio. The Classic Red Stripes The Dry Dam, The Broken Fishplate, The Olive Grove, The Hermit Crab, The Custodian, The High Trellis, d’Arrys Original, The Love Grass, The Footbolt. The Classic Red Stripes represent the backbone of the d’Arenberg range. Considered the epitome of d’Arenberg’s style, they are a reflection of skillful winemaking and unique terroir – regionally expressive, fruit-forward and approachable. The Stump Jumps Stump Jump White, Stump Jump Red, Stump Jump Shiraz Named after an important South Australian invention – the Stump Jump plough, these wines are typically light- or un-oaked, offering a fresh, approachable view of McLaren Vale’s premium varietals. Read less

Good colour; highly perfumed bouquet, with an abundance of black fruits, savoury charcuterie, and a suggestion of violets; the palate is seamless and beautifully poised, with the acidity providing contrast to the lavish levels of fruit; a well constr... James Halliday. A Syrah wine from South Australia in Australia. 2008 d'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz / Viognier 750ml

The 2008 Laughing Magpie Shiraz-Viognier spent 12 months in 15 percent new French and American oak. It is deep crimson-colored with an alluring bouquet of cedar, lilacs, Asian spices, black cherry, and blueberry. On the palate it is medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and layered with savory fruit. Nicely balanced, it will evolve for 2-3 years and drink well through 2020.

The vineyards and bushland that surround the d’Arenberg winery are home to the unique native Australian bird, the Kookaburra, famous for its distinctive laughing call. Much to the amusement of the family, Chester Osborn’s daughters, Alicia and Ruby, named their two wild pet Kookaburras the “Laughing Magpies”. Very dark rich looking appearance with a black-crimson hue suggesting a complex youthful dry red. The aroma is intense and still quite undeveloped with a floral mix of peach stone, jasmine and cranberry juice overriding dark maraschino cherries, star anise, and spiced fruit cake. If you give the wine a vigorous decanting you’ll see amongst the floral & vegetative earthy notes a dominance of white pepper & plum notes mixed with root vegetables such as parsnips and beetroot, along with hints of roasted black tea, black olives and edges of fragrant garden herbs. The palate is full flavoured with ripe juicy soft mouth-filling flavours suggesting beetroot juice, blueberries blackcurrants and red cherries with herbaceous edges that keep the palate in check. Overall a slightly lighter wine than previous years but the oak is showing a greater impact due to its youth, with lovely cedary notes which compliments the abundant tea like tannins and edgy mineral acidity that gives the wine excellent definition. The concentration of this wine suggests it will greatly benefit further bottle aging for the medium term and in 10 years or so, depending on storage, it should be at its drinking best.